Page 501 - Jarvis & Wright: Jamaica Display to RPSL

Jamaica: TPO & Railway

Frame 45 TPO & Railway
Jamaica Railway

1845 The Jamaica Railway opened on November 22 with a track from Kingston to Spanish Town.
1869 An eleven mile extension from Spanish Town to Old Harbour is completed.
1879 The Government purchases the railway for £93,932 and undertakes a modernization program
1880-1885 Railway extensions constructed from Old Harbour to Porus and from Spanish Town to Ewarton and Bog Walk.
1890 The Railway is sold to the West India Improvement Co.
1894 The line to Montego Bay is completed.
1896 The Port Antonio line is completed (United Fruit Co port used for banana exports)
1898 The West India Improvement Co. falls into receivership.
1900 The Jamaica Government again assumes responsibility of the railroad.
1913 A 13 mile extension from May Pen to Chapelton is completed in order to service the growing citrus industry.
1925 A 9¼ mile extension from Chapelton to Frankfield is completed.
1940-1950 Bauxite deposits are discovered in the interior. The railroad plays a key role in the development of bauxite mines.
By 1975, bauxite accounts for over 99% of railroad cargo.
1952-1955 Following the 1951 hurricane, a rehabilitation program is undertaken.
Steam engines are replaced with diesel locomotives.
1962 Jamaica is granted independence. Nationalization of unprofitable industries results in a diversion of railway
maintenance funds to keep these industries afloat.
1974 The May Pen to Frankfield line is closed due to lack of maintenance.
1975 The Bog Walk to Port Antonio line is closed due to lack of maintenance.
1988 Hurricane Gilbert destroys much of the remaining railroad infrastructure.
1992 The Jamaica Government Railway ceases to operate with the exception of the bauxite lines which are privately
funded.

Jamaica Railway map circa 1945.